Production of high transverse momentum prompt photons and neutral pions in proton-proton interactions at 280 GeV/c

The inclusive cross sections for production of prompt photons and π⁰ s by 280 GeV/c protons incident on a liquid hydrogen target, have been measured forp _T in the range 4.0 to 6.5 GeV/c and for |x _F |<0.45. A quantitative comparison of the prompt photon cross section with next-to-leading order QCD predictions using Duke and Owens structure functions is performed. Phenomenological fits to the π⁰ and prompt photon cross sections are given.     

Practical access to highly enantioenriched quaternary carbon Michael adducts using simple organocatalysts

A three component catalyst system entailing an amino acid (O(t)Bu-L-threonine), a hydrogen bond donor (sulfamide), and an amine base (DMAP) allows α-branched aldehyde addition to nitroalkenes in good to high yield and excellent ee. Importantly, the lowest reported catalyst loading (5.0 mol%) and aldehyde stoichiometry (1.2-2.0 equiv) is demonstrated and in most instances the best current product profile is observed.     

Noncovalent Bifunctional Organocatalysts: Powerful Tools for Contiguous Quaternary‐Tertiary Stereogenic Carbon Formation,Scope, and Origin of Enantioselectivity

Relying on the assembly of commercially available catalyst building blocks, highly stereocontrolled quaternary carbon (all carbon substituted) formation has been achieved with unmatched substrate diversity. For example, the in situ assembly of a tricomponent catalyst system allows α‐branched aldehyde addition to nitroalkene or maleimide electrophiles (Michael products), while addition to an α‐iminoester affords Mannich reaction products. Very good yields are observed and for fifteen of the eighteen examples 96–99 % ee is observed. Using racemic α‐branched aldehydes, two contiguous (quaternary–tertiary) stereogenic centers can be formed in high diastereo‐ and enantiomeric excess (eight examples) via an efficient in situ dynamic kinetic resolution, solving a known shortcoming for maleimide electrophiles in particular. The method is of practical value, requiring only 1.2 equiv of the aldehyde, a 5.0 mol % loading of each catalyst component, for example, O‐tBu‐L ‐threonine (O‐tBu‐L ‐Thr), sulfamide, DMAP or O‐tBu‐L ‐Thr, KOH, and room temperature reactions. As a highlight, the first demonstration of ethylisovaleraldehyde ( 7 ) addition is disclosed, providing the most congested quaternary stereogenic carbon containing succinimide product ( 8 ) known to date. Finally, mechanistic insight, via DFT calculations, support a noncovalent assembly of the catalyst components into a bifunctional catalyst, correctly predict two levels of product stereoselectivity, and suggest the origin of the tricomponent catalyst system’s exceptionality: an alternative hydrogen bond motif for the donor‐acceptor pair than currently suggested for non‐assembled catalysts.     

The measurement of phase through the propagation of intensity: an introduction

The concept of phase is deeply instilled in the mind of every physics student from a very early age and its measurement seems inevitably intertwined with the need to perform interferometry. More recently, a number of important phase visualisation and measurement techniques have emerged that do not require interference. This paper introduces the concept of phase by treating it as a potential that determines the flow of energy, which leads to the idea that phase can be measured by observing the evolution of the intensity of the light on propagation. The ideas have found application in a number of areas, including optical, X-ray, neutron and electron imaging physics and these are explained.     

Recovering the complete coherence function of a generalized Schell model field

We prove that in the absence of phase singularities, a generalized Schell model partially coherent field is fully defined by its intensity in three planes. We discuss the implications of this result for the problem of characterizing wave fields.     

Lentivirus-mediated transgene delivery to the hippocampus reveals sub-field specific differences in expression

Background  

In the adult hippocampus, the granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus is a heterogeneous structure formed by neurons of different ages, morphologies and electrophysiological properties. Retroviral vectors have been extensively used to transduce cells of the granule cell layer and study their inherent properties in an intact brain environment. In addition, lentivirus-based vectors have been used to deliver transgenes to replicative and non-replicative cells as well, such as post mitotic neurons of the CNS. However, only few studies have been dedicated to address the applicability of these widespread used vectors to hippocampal cells in vivo. Therefore, the aim of this study was to extensively characterize the cell types that are effectively transduced in vivo by VSVg-pseudotyped lentivirus-based vectors in the hippocampus dentate gyrus.     

Beyond Chemoselectivity: Catalytic Site‐Selective Aldolization of Diketones and Exploitation for Enantioselective Alzheimer's Drug Candidate Synthesis

Site selectivity, differentiating instances of the same functional group type on one substrate, represents a forward‐looking theme within chemistry: reduced dependence on protection/deprotection protocols for increased overall yield and step‐efficiency. Despite these potential benefits and the expanded tactical advantages afforded to synthetic design, site selectivity remains elusive and especially so for ketone‐based substrates. Herein, site‐selective intermolecular mono‐aldolization has been demonstrated for an array of prochiral 4‐keto‐substituted cyclohexanones with concomitant regio‐, diastereo‐, and enantiocontrol. Importantly, the aldol products allow rapid access to molecularly complex ketolactones or keto‐1,3‐diols, respectively containing three and four stereogenic centers. The reaction conditions are of immediate practical value and general enough to be applicable to other reaction types. These findings are applied in the first enantioselective, formal, synthesis of a leading Alzheimer's research drug, a γ‐secretase modulator (GSM), in the highest known yield.     

Synthesis of some 6-keto morphinan mu opiate receptor agonists labelled with tritium at high specific activity

The high specific activity tritiation of oxymorphone and pentamorphone is described.